Ray LaHood joins Axelrod's politics institute

David Axelrod's Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago announced Monday former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood (pictured) would join its board of advisers. 2012 file photo. UPI/Jeff Kowalsky | License Photo

CHICAGO, July 8 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood joined former Obama adviser David Axelrod's Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago.

The program said Monday LaHood will sit on the institute's board of advisers, The Hill reported.

"With his long and distinguished career in public service, Secretary LaHood epitomizes a spirit of bipartisanship and ethics that undoubtedly will inspire our students," Axelrod said in a statement. "We are thrilled he will be joining our board of advisers to help us continue in our mission to raise up the next generation of leaders."

LaHood, a Republican, said he was excited to join the institute.

"Having answered the call of public service at an early age, I am excited to join the Institute of Politics in its mission to spark an interest in politics in young people," LaHood said in a statement.